John Ratzenberger

Last updated

John Ratzenberger
John Ratzenberger (27978487885) (cropped).jpg
Ratzenberger in 2016
Born
John Dezso Ratzenberger [1] [2]

(1947-04-06) April 6, 1947 (age 77)
Alma mater Sacred Heart University
OccupationActor
Years active1973–present
Agents
  • Saskia Delp-Kullock
  • Global Artists
Political party Republican
Spouses
  • Georgia Stiny
    (m. 1984;div. 2004)
  • Julie Blichfeldt
    (m. 2012)
Children2
HonoursPhD, Humane Letters, Sacred Heart University
Website ratzenberger.com

John Dezso Ratzenberger (born April 6, 1947) [1] is an American actor. He is best known for playing the character Cliff Clavin on the comedy series Cheers , for which he earned two Primetime Emmy nominations. Ratzenberger reprised the role in the short-lived spin-off The Tortellis , an episode of Wings, as well as in an episode of Frasier . He has voiced various characters in several Pixar animated feature films including Hamm in the Toy Story franchise, The Abominable Snowman in the Monsters, Inc. franchise, Mack in the Cars franchise, The Underminer in The Incredibles franchise, Fritz in the Inside Out franchise, and many others.

Contents

Ratzenberger began his entertainment career while living in London in the 1970s. He acted in and wrote film and television through the 1970s and early 1980s before returning to America. At an audition for a role in a new sitcom, Ratzenberger created the character of Cliff Clavin. Cheers (1982–1993) was a success and went on to run for 11 years. After Cheers, he began voicing characters for Pixar; Ratzenberger's first role was Hamm in Pixar's debut feature film Toy Story (1995), and he would continue to voice characters in many subsequent Pixar films. Including voice acting and cameos, he is the third highest-grossing actor of all time.

Early life

John Dezso Ratzenberger was born on Easter Sunday, April 6, 1947, [3] in Bridgeport, Connecticut, the son of Bertha Veronica ( née Grochowski), and Dezso Alexander Ratzenberger, a WWII veteran who had been a combat engineer in the Philippines. [4] [5] John's father, Dezso, was of Austrian and Hungarian descent, and John's mother was of Polish ancestry. [6] Ratzenberger attended St. Ann's School and Bassick High School in Bridgeport and then Sacred Heart University in Fairfield, Connecticut. [1] In 1969, Ratzenberger worked at the Woodstock Festival as a heavy equipment operator and as part of the crew building the stage. [7] John moved to London in 1971, where he began his acting, writing, and directing career. [1]

Career

Ratzenberger on the set of the series "Made in America" Made in America film set.jpg
Ratzenberger on the set of the series "Made in America"

Ratzenberger began his career in the performing arts while living in London, England. [1] Through the 1970s, he performed with Ray Hassett as the comedic theatrical duo Sal's Meat Market, which toured throughout Europe for eight years. [8] Sal's Meat Market heavily influenced Peter Richardson and Nigel Planer as a duo in The Outer Limits and in The Comic Strip . [9] His first role in a major feature film was as a patron in The Ritz (1976). Throughout the late 1970s and early 1980s, Ratzenberger appeared in various roles in feature films throughout Europe including: A Bridge Too Far , filmed in Holland, as Lieutenant James Megellas; Superman , as a missile controller; Superman II , as the NASA control man; Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back as Major Derlin; Outland as a doomed mine worker named Tarlow; and Gandhi, filmed in India, playing an American lieutenant.

Cheers

Ratzenberger played mail carrier Cliff Clavin on the sitcom Cheers . As an improv artist, he asked the producers if they had written a bar know-it-all character; the producers decided it was a great idea, and the character of Cliff Clavin was born. [10] Ratzenberger also came up with the idea for Cliff's trademark white socks, which he wore as a tribute to French comedian Jacques Tati. [11] Cliff became known for his outlandish stories, trivia, and his trademarked (and oft repeated), "It's a little known fact..." Cliff and Norm, the primary customer characters of the iconic bar, Cheers, played buddies who met at Cheers to talk about the day or nothing in particular. Ratzenberger was nominated for an Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series in 1985 and again in 1986. [12] [13] Ratzenberger provided the voice for an animated version of Cliff on The Simpsons sixth-season episode "Fear of Flying". He also played the role in the short-lived spin-off The Tortellis and in an episode of Wings , which was made by the same creators.

Voice work

Ratzenberger has contributed voice work for several animated projects, most notably Pixar productions.

Ratzenberger has voiced characters in 23 Pixar films. [14] His roles include:

According to Ratzenberger, Pixar's tradition of including him as a good luck charm in every film beginning with the studio's first film, Toy Story , was due to him being good friends with former Pixar filmmaker John Lasseter, [15] who directed or executive-produced each of the first 20 Pixar films. Ratzenberger's tenure at Pixar was parodied during the end credits of Cars , where his character, Mack, watches car-themed versions of Pixar films (Toy Car Story, Monster Trucks, Inc., and A Bug's Life, the latter of which references the Volkswagen Beetle). Mack notes that all the characters that John Ratzenberger has played had excellent voice actors until he realizes that they are performed by the same actor, at which point he remarks, "They're just using the same actor over and over," and asks, "What kind of a cut-rate production is this?!" Ratzenberger stated his favorite Pixar role was Hamm from the Toy Story series, [16] and he has given honorable mention to P.T. Flea from A Bug's Life . [17]

Following Lasseter's exit from Pixar, Ratzenberger revealed he was not a fan of the regime that replaced Lasseter or the studio's subsequent films, claiming "[...] they suck", and disliked the political messaging that he felt was being placed in the films. [15] Pixar's 23rd feature film, Soul (2020), was the first Pixar film that did not involve Ratzenberger himself, though it did instead feature a character animated in his likeness as a cameo according to the film’s co-director Kemp Powers; [18] the cameo was also confirmed by director Pete Docter on the film's audio commentary track. After having voiced a character in every Pixar film from Toy Story (1995) through Onward (2020), Ratzenberger would not have another role in any Pixar film until their 28th feature film, Inside Out 2 (2024). [15] [19]

Ratzenberger has continued to work with Lasseter, who produces all feature films and executive-produces all series at Skydance Animation. [20] His roles include:

Aside from the Pixar and Skydance productions, Ratzenberger voiced Harland the jet tug in Disneytoon Studios' Planes (2013) [24] and Brodi the plane in its sequel, Planes: Fire & Rescue (2014), [25] [26] which are spin-offs of Pixar's Cars series and executive-produced by Lasseter. [27] Additionally, Ratzenberger provided the voice for Aniyaku the assistant manager in the English dub version of Studio Ghibli’s Spirited Away (2002), [28] which Lasseter also executive-produced.

Ratzenberger also reprised his role as Yeti (now named Adorable) and voiced a new character named Bernard in the Disney Television Animation series Monsters at Work (2021-24), which is set after the main events of Pixar's Monsters, Inc. [29]

Ratzenberger at the 2008 Rhode Island International Film Festival JohnRatzenberger08RIIFF.jpg
Ratzenberger at the 2008 Rhode Island International Film Festival

Personal life

Ratzenberger lived in London for 10 years. [30] Since 1994, he has lived in Vashon, Washington. [31] Ratzenberger married Georgia Stiny in 1984; during their 20-year marriage they had two children together before divorcing in 2004. [4] He then married Julie Blichfeldt in November 2012. [32]

Ratzenberger developed a packaging-alternatives product made from biodegradable and non-toxic recycled paper as a safe alternative to foam peanuts and plastic bubble wrap. This product, SizzlePak, was manufactured by his company Eco-Pak Industries, which Ratzenberger co-founded in 1989. [33] In 1992, he sold Eco-Pack to Ranpak Corp. [33]

Political views

Ratzenberger is a Republican. During the 2008 presidential race, Ratzenberger campaigned for John McCain, appearing with former Cheers co-star Kelsey Grammer at several Republican party events. [34] [35] Ratzenberger was outspoken in opposition of the 2010 health care reform bill, referring to it as socialism. [36] On January 17, 2010, he appeared and endorsed Scott Brown for the United States Senate at Mechanics Hall in Worcester, Massachusetts. Ratzenberger campaigned for Republican Josh Mandel of Ohio for state treasurer in 2010 and served as master of ceremonies for Mandel's inauguration into the position in 2011. [37] He considered running for the U.S. Senate in Connecticut in 2012. [38]

Ratzenberger endorsed Mitt Romney in 2012. [39] He appeared on Your World with Neil Cavuto to support Donald Trump's candidacy during the 2016 presidential race, shortly after Trump was declared the presumptive Republican nominee. [40] He praised his performance as president in 2017, saying he had done "a wonderful job as far as manufacturing is concerned". [41]

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Ratzenberger expressed his support for the United States Postal Service (USPS) in 2020 via Cameo and suggested people who wished to help them donate and buy presents for Christmas early. [42] [43]

Filmography

Film

YearTitleRoleNotes
1976 The Ritz Patron
1977 Twilight's Last Gleaming Sgt. Kopecki
A Bridge Too Far Lt. James Megellas
Valentino Newshound
1978 Warlords of Atlantis Fenn
Superman Missile controller
1979 Hanover Street Sergeant John Lucas
Arabian Adventure Achmed
Yanks Corporal Cook
The Bitch Hal Leonard
1980 The Empire Strikes Back Major Bren Derlin
Motel Hell Drummer
Superman II Controller No. 1
1981 Outland Tarlow
Ragtime Policeman
Reds Communist Leader
The Good Soldier Jimmy
1982 Battletruck RustyAKA Warlords of the 21st Century
Firefox Chief Peck
Gandhi American Lieutenant
1984 Protocol Security Guard on TVUncredited
1985 The Falcon and the Snowman Detective
1987 House II: The Second Story Bill
Timestalkers General Joe Brodsky
1988 She's Having a Baby Himself
1995 Toy Story Hamm Voice
1997 That Darn Cat Dusty
Bad Day on the Block Al Calavito
One Night Stand Phil
1998 A Bug's Life P.T. FleaVoice
1999 Toy Story 2 Hamm
2001 Monsters, Inc. Yeti
2002 Spirited Away Aniyaku
2003 Finding Nemo Fish School
2004 The Incredibles The Underminer
2006 Something New Brian's Father
Cars Mack; Hamm Truck, Abominable Snowplow, P.T. Flea CarVoice; Additional Voices
2007 Ratatouille MustafaVoice
Your Friend the Rat P.T. FleaVoice; Short film; direct-to-video; archive footage from A Bug's Life
2008 The Village Barbershop Art Leroldi
WALL-E JohnVoice
2009 Up Construction Foreman Tom
2010 Toy Story 3 Hamm
What If... Mike
2011 Toy Story Toons: Hawaiian Vacation HammVoice; Short film
Cars 2 MackVoice
Toy Story Toons: Small Fry HammVoice; Short film
2012The WoodcarverErnest
Brave GordonVoice
Toy Story Toons: Partysaurus Rex HammVoice; Short film
2013 Monsters University YetiVoice
Planes Harland
Super Buddies Marvin "Gramps" Livingstone Direct-to-video
In the Name of God Reverend Thomas
2014 Planes: Fire & Rescue BrodieVoice
2015Russell MadnessMick Vaughn
Inside Out FritzVoice
The Good Dinosaur Earl
2016 Finding Dory Husband Crab (Bill)
Pup Star [44] MuttVoice; direct-to-video
2017Pup Star: Better 2Gether [44] Salty
Cars 3 MackVoice
Coco Juan Ortodoncia
2018 Shifting Gears Conrad Baines
Incredibles 2 The UnderminerVoice
2019 Toy Story 4 Hamm
2020 Onward Construction Worker Fennwick
2022 Luck Rootie
2024 Inside Out 2 Fritz
Spellbound Milo the Monster Handler

Television

YearTitleRoleNotes
1979 Secret Army Staff Sergeant DrexlerEpisode: "The Execution"
1980 ITV Playhouse Tom PhillipsEpisode: "Friends in Space"
1981 The Good Soldier Jimmy Television film
Goliath Awaits Bill Sweeney
Private Schulz American Newsreel CommentatorUncredited voice; episode #1.5
Code Red Inspector Ray AllenEpisode: "All That Glitters"
1982 Hill Street Blues Phony CopEpisode: "Some Like it Hot-Wired"
1982–93 Cheers Cliff Clavin 274 episodes; directed 4 episodes
1983 Wizards and Warriors ArchieEpisode: "The Dungeon of Death"
1984 Magnum, P.I. Walt BrewsterEpisode: "The Legacy of Garwood Huddle"
1985 St. Elsewhere Cliff ClavinEpisode: "Cheers"
The Love Boat Marty ElderEpisode: "A Day in Port"
1986 Combat Academy Mr. BarnettTelevision film
1987 Timestalkers General Joe Brodsky
The Tortellis Cliff ClavinEpisode: "Frankie Comes to Dinner"
1988 Small World Morris Zapp6 episodes
Mickey's 60th Birthday Cliff ClavinTelevision film
1990 Walt Disney's Wonderful World of Color Episode: "Disneyland's 35th Anniversary Celebration"
Wings Episode: "The Story of Joe"
The Earth Day Special Television film
Camp Cucamonga Marvin Schector
1990–92 Captain Planet and the Planeteers RiggerVoice; 24 episodes
1992 Nurses Mr. HafnerEpisode: "Illicit Transfers"
1993 Moon Over Miami Norman RustEpisode: "Farewell, My Lovelies"
1994, 2014 The Simpsons Cliff Clavin, CGI Homer Simpson Voices; 2 episodes: "Fear of Flying", "Treehouse of Horror XXV"
1995 Murphy Brown FelixEpisode: "A Rat's Tale"
Sister, Sister Gus Kiamilikimaka2 episodes
1996 Caroline in the City Mr. BermanEpisode: "Caroline and Richard's Mom"
Toy Story Treats HammVoice; Interstitials
1997 Happily Ever After: Fairy Tales for Every Child HinkyVoice; episode: "The Pied Piper"
Sabrina, the Teenage Witch Bob/Santa Claus Episode: "Sabrina Claus"
The Detectives EdselEpisode: "Go West Old Man"
1998 Remember WENN Mr. AbernathyEpisode: "And If I Die Before I Sleep"
2000 Touched by an Angel MerlEpisode: "Monica's Bad Day"
Pigs Next DoorIke StumpRecurring voice
2001 That '70s Show GlenEpisode: "Holy Craps"
The Drew Carey Show Himself/VariousEpisode: "Drew Live III"
2002 Frasier Cliff ClavinEpisode: "Cheerful Goodbyes"
The Pennsylvania Miners' Story Thomas "Tucker" FoyTelevision film
2003 8 Simple Rules Fred Doyle4 episodes
2004–08 Made in America HimselfHost; 97 episodes
2006 Rodney Episode: "Celebrity"
Mystery Woman: Redemption Jim CarterHallmark movie
2008Our First ChristmasJoe Noll
2011 Melissa & Joey ArnieEpisode: "A House Divided"
2012Matchmaker SantaGeorgeHallmark movie
2012–14 Drop Dead Diva Larry Kaswell3 episodes
2013 Bones Bill SchumacherEpisode: "The Cheat in the Retreat"
CSI: Crime Scene Investigation Stu KirchoffEpisode: "Torch Song"
2013, 2014 Legit Walter Nugent10 episodes
Franklin & Bash Judge Elliot Reid3 episodes
2014 How Murray Saved Christmas Officer BenderVoice; television special
2015 The McCarthys Charlie EllisEpisode: "Hall of Fame"
Hell's Kitchen HimselfEpisode: "11 Chefs Compete"
2017 Lego Star Wars: The Freemaker Adventures Major Bren Derlin Voice; episode: "The Storms of Taul"
2019 Mom StanEpisode: "Audrey Hepburn and a Jalapeño Pepper" [45]
The Goldbergs Digby YatesEpisode: "Food in a Geoffy" [46]
Forky Asks a Question HammVoice; Short films: "What is Money?", "What is a Friend?"
2020 Just Roll with It Grandpa4 episodes
Bob Hearts Abishola HankEpisode: "Randy's a Wrangler"
2021–24 Monsters at Work Adorable (Yeti) / BernardVoices; 8 episodes
2023 Poker Face AbeEpisode: "The Night Shift"
2024 WondLa CaruncleVoice; Episodes: "Chapter 3: Bargain", "Chapter 4: Ghosts"

Video games

YearTitleVoice role
1995 Toy Story Hamm
1996 Toy Story: Activity Center
Disney's Animated Storybook: Toy Story
1999 Toy Story 2: Buzz Lightyear to the Rescue
2001 Toy Story Racer
2002 Monsters, Inc. Yeti
2004 Trivial Pursuit: Unhinged Himself
2005 The Incredibles: Rise of the Underminer The Underminer
2006 Cars Mack
2009 Cars Race-O-Rama
2010 Toy Story 3: The Video Game Hamm
2012 Kinect Rush: A Disney-Pixar Adventure
2013 Disney Infinity
2014 Disney Infinity 2.0
2015 Disney Infinity 3.0
2016Disney Magic Kingdoms
2018 Lego The Incredibles The Underminer
2019 Kingdom Hearts III Hamm

Musical

YearTitleRoleNotes
2008–16 Toy Story: The Musical HammVoice

Production credits

YearTitle Director Executive
Producer
Writer Notes
1978 Crown Court NoNoYes1 episode
1980 ITV Playhouse NoNoYes
1990 Sydney YesNoNo
1988–91 Cheers YesNoNo4 episodes
1990, 1991Down HomeYesNoNo
1994 Madman of the People YesNoNo3 episodes
LocalsNoYesNoTV Movie
Evening Shade YesNoNo1 episode
Sister, Sister YesNoNo
1996 Pearl YesNoNo
The World's Most Incredible Animal RescuesNoYesNoTV Special
1997The World's Most Incredible Animal Rescues: Part 2NoYesNo
1998The World's Most Incredible Animal Rescues: Part 3NoYesNo
2010Industrial TsunamiNoYesNoDocumentary

Awards and nominations

YearAssociationCategoryProjectResultRef.
1985 Primetime Emmy Award Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series Cheers Nominated [47]
1986 Nominated [48]

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